All Editor's Picks and plus-size
clothing featured are hand- selected by the Elegant Plus
Fashion Editor from our extensive network of
plus-fashion business partnerships. Elegant Plus has a
size-inclusive policy and makes every effort to include
stylish selections in size 12 and larger! Holiday formal events and New Year's Eve parties call for special
plus-size cocktail dresses and evening gowns.
This hand selected collection of plus size formalwear is carefully
chosen for full-figured women by the Elegant Plus Style Editor.

New Year's Eve and the holiday parties leading
up to it can be wonderful opportunities for
gorgeous black-tie worthy dresses and gowns.
Some women choose holiday cruises, charity
events, or traditional gala balls to ring in the
New Year. Truly upscale, luxury designer dresses
are more readily available at this time of year,
especially for smaller plus-size women in the size 12 to 16 extended
misses range.

Colors and fabrics at this time of year tend to
be rich and vibrant or sleekly chic, silhouettes
sophisticated, and festive sparkle and shine
abundant. It has become more acceptable to
wear shorter cocktail and tea length dresses,
although ball gowns and full length dresses are
also still frequently worn.

For those that don't have a lot of time to wait
and need a dress or gown quickly, the best
resource is Nordstrom
which has extremely fast shipping times, and
many dresses in stock in size 14 to 24W.
For expedited shipping fees, equally fast is Igigi which
has options for size 12 to 32W. Jersey
maxi dresses and lace cocktail dresses are a
specialty at moderately priced plus designer
Kiyonna for size 10 to 32W.

Both Dillard's
and Macy's also
both have exceptionally deep inventories of
plus-size dresses ranging from trendier and
moderately priced options to designer cocktail
dresses and evening gowns in size 14 to 24W.

Neiman Marcus
has the deepest selection of gala evening wear
from premium and luxury designers such as Theia,
Lela Rose, Carmen Marc Valvo, Monique Lhuillier
and many others in size 0 to 18 out on the main
racks, and smaller collection especially during
the holidays from labels such as Kay Unger and
Marina Rinaldi in size 14 to 24W in the women's
section.

Meanwhile, Lord and Taylor
is a must stop for those who are looking for
more moderately priced designers such as LAUREN
Ralph Lauren, Patra, and J Kara in size 14 to
24W.

Inexpensive, trendy party dresses will ship
quickly from Asos
in size 14 to 24W. Vintage party glam can
be found at ModCloth in
sizes up to 30.

Cataloguers such as Midnight Velvet
always have ready-to-ship moderately priced
evening and cocktail dress styles ready to ship
in size 6 to 24W, while dress super store Dress Barn
carries both their own in house label and
capsule collections from names such as Carmen
Marc Valvo and Adrianna Papell.

Plan on a two to three week wait from direct
from manufacturer websites such as Light in the Box
which can customize dresses to your measurements
for a small fee and offer close to wholesale
prices in size 2 to 26W. Most dresses and
gowns are available in a wide assortment of of
colors.